Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon said the government had no intention yet of remembering the May 13 incident as the 'National Muhibah Day' like Singapore which turned the worst racial riot in the republic on July 21, 1964 as Racial Harmony Day.

Koh, who is also the Gerakan president, said there was no necessity at the moment to emulate Singapore which had set July 21 as 'Racial Harmony Day.

"I don't think so, because in Malaysia, May 13 may be interpreted differently...that's why we should not make any decision now, it's not unusual because it's implemented in Singapore," he told reporters after launching the 'Program Karnival 1Malaysia Tabika Persekutuan' at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur today.

He was commenting on the Utusan Malaysia 'Cuit' column on Wednesday which suggested that May 13 be turned as a day to remember like Singapore which remembered the bloody racial riot on July 21 1964 as a Racial Harmony Day.

Columnist Zaini Hassan made the suggestion after the Penang DAP government suspended Opposition Leader Azhar Ibrahim for six months for not removing the word 'May 13'.

He said the suggestion to create the remembrance day should receive agreement from everyone in the country.

"The people of Malaysia must have a discussion...this does not mean I agree with Utusan Malaysia, whether it's suitable or otherwise, let the people discuss first," he said.

The May 13 incident in 1969 is a black mark in Malaysia's history when racial riots broke out and posed the biggest problem for racial solidarity in Malaysia which resulted in the loss of lives and property.

- Bernama